Around 56 licensees are deploying membrane-based water purification technologies across Gujarat, Odisha, Karnataka, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Bihar, Kerala, Rajasthan and Maharashtra, bringing location-specific drinking water solutions to domestic and community settings, including flood-affected areas.
These cost-effective water purification technologies were developed as part of in-house research initiatives and later made available for transfer to private entrepreneurs on a non-exclusive basis for commercialisation. The technologies focus on treating water contamination challenges that vary by geography, including microbial contamination, suspended solids, fluoride, arsenic, iron, hardness and heavy metals.
How the technologies work on the ground?
The solutions include ultrafiltration systems, including hollow fibre-based water purifying devices designed for microbial decontamination and removal of suspended solids. These systems can operate in both online and offline modes, allowing use in locations with limited or disrupted power supply, such as flood-hit regions.
Nanofiltration membrane technologies form another part of the portfolio, enabling removal of multi-valent ions, including hardness and heavy metals, from drinking water sources. Reverse osmosis membranes developed for brackish water and sea water desalination are also part of the deployed technologies.
Several membrane-assisted solutions address region-specific contaminants. These include ultrafiltration membrane-assisted defluoridation systems, arsenic decontamination technologies, and iron removal solutions, which are used in areas where groundwater quality poses health risks.
From households to community systems
The water purification technologies are used at both domestic and community scales. Domestic water purifiers based on ultrafiltration membrane technology have been deployed for household drinking water needs, while larger back washable spiral wound ultrafiltration membrane systems are used for community-level water treatment.
Nanocomposite ultrafiltration membrane devices are also used for domestic drinking water purification, specifically addressing arsenic, iron and microbial contamination.
Where the solutions are being used?
Deployment has taken place across multiple states, including Gujarat, Odisha, Karnataka, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Bihar, Kerala, Rajasthan and Maharashtra. These regions include flood-prone areas and locations with groundwater contamination challenges.
The technologies are transferred to private entrepreneurs, who manufacture and deploy the systems across rural and urban areas. The transfer model allows multiple licensees to operate simultaneously, supporting wider reach and local adaptation.
The spread across 10 states and deployment through 56 licensees reflects how water purification technologies developed in research settings are being used in everyday settings, addressing drinking water needs shaped by geography, contamination and climate-related disruptions.